If you have any questions about the true power of language in the hands of a master wordsmith, go see the Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, which opened on July 16. Nary a lingering doubt will cloud your mind after a few hours spent in the company of one of the most celebrated writers in the English language in the hands of one of Boise’s favorite theater company.

Actually, go see it even if you just want a good laugh and an enjoyable evening under the stars.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the fact that even after more than 100 years since the play’s debut in London in 1895, the sentiment still rings so true that it isn’t challenging for a modern audience to get the joke. It’s a testament to the fact that Wilde not only had a rare understanding of his peers, but of the very root of what drives mankind.

You’d think something would have changed in the 115 years since Oscar Wilde penned “An Ideal Husband,” but sadly no. Politics is still corrupt; men and women still hold each other to impossible standards; and social pressure is always a great motivator.

And no one captures it as well as Wilde does in what is one of his sharpest plays, which opened at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Saturday.

Director Sari Ketter’s deftly crafted production places Wilde’s comedy against Nayna Ramey’s minimalist set of simple stairs and platforms, carved round-backed chairs and a few tables, moved about by a fleet of butlers.

Jason Resler’s period costumes are lush and elegant, with men’s long coats, beautiful ladies hats and a delightful variety of wigs. One lovely detail is the backs of the butlers’ coats, decorated by a plethora of bright, gold buttons. Read more

Best of Treasure Valley Performing Arts Group!

July 16th, 2010

IDAHO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

There’s no doubt that the Treasure Valley loves its Shakespeare.

Since its beginnings on the patio at One Capitol Center, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival has grown into a nationally recognized theater that has been reviewed by The Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

Much of its appeal is that you don’t have to be an avid classical theater fan to enjoy a show, because the experience is so much more. Read more

Katie Willmorth makes her company debut in ‘An Ideal Husband’

When Katie Willmorth was 4, she sat besides her dad, Idaho Shakespeare Festival funnyman Tom Willmorth, watching a technical rehearsal for “As You Like It.” That’s when the once transient ISF performed off ParkCenter Boulevard.

During a break, Katie asked if she could go on stage. Tom told her she needed permission from director Bartlett Sher.

“She toddled over to Bart and asked,” Tom remembered. “And he looked at her for a moment, then said, ‘Sure, but be careful. It’s magic.'” Well, the magic of theater has been part of Katie’s life since she can remember. Read More

Meet the real Bat Boy: Mitch McCarrell

Looking younger than you are always is a blessing. And it has been for actor and singer Mitch McCarrell, who has played more than his share of fresh-faced, energetic teenagers.

Take, for example, his current starring role as Edgar (aka Bat Boy) in the Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Bat Boy: The Musical.”

OK, maybe Edgar – a half bat, half boy who is discovered living in a cave outside of Hope Falls, W.Va. – isn’t so fresh of face. There are fangs and pointy ears. But McCarrell’s energized and layered performance elevates the character beyond the obvious and into the realm of heartfelt.

He’s also playing his first adult character in his ISF debut: Starveling, the nattily dressed, persnickety tailor in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Now, to be fair, Starveling is still boyish and given to a tight-lipped tantrum or two. But still, it’s progress, he says.

He’s been playing the two characters in repertory this summer. “Midsummer” and “Bat Boy” both wrap up later this month.

Q: Who is Edgar, the Bat Boy? How did you create your character?

A: You will find that the show constantly references popular culture. (And so does Edgar.)

Edgar is a rock and roll vampire. Fed by his host mother’s love (and by an occasional live varmint), he is taught the way of the world. Read full article

Voices from the Company: Sara Bruner, Acting Company

July 6th, 2010

Tuesday, July 6th

We have two shows up and two shows in rehearsal- things are getting crazy. Some actors are only performing in the evenings, some are rehearsing all day, then performing at night; and others (like me) are rehearsing in the afternoons and evenings. Those of us who are in rehearsal spend the day bouncing around to different “calls”. We go back and forth between An Ideal Husband and Othello, and also have extra “specialized” calls added in for costume fittings and to learn fights, dances, and music. I’m especially excited about the music rehearsal because we have a composer who is writing original music for Othello– so my (Desdemona’s) “Willow” song is exclusively composed for our production! One of my favorite things about the theater is the level of collaboration that takes place. The audience is essentially viewing the tip of the iceberg when they come to see a performance- as actors we are the most visible aspect of a show- but we stand on the shoulders of many fellow artists and administrators that are pieces of a complicated equation.

I have been studying my Othello lines all morning, and I’m looking forward to getting in the rehearsal hall an moving around a little and putting things into action. The first blocking rehearsal that we did for Othello was the final scene in which —–SPOILER ALERT—- Othello strangles me. It was a really hard scene to try to tackle first, but I feel more fearless now because we went head to head with a tough scene in the beginning. I also have some Ideal Husband rehearsal today- the entire show is blocked and we are just polishing it right now. Aled Davies, one of our long time company members, is the dialect coach for An Ideal husband. We have been training hard trying to perfect the sound of this show- it’s Oscar Wilde so we are all getting on the same page with our British RP (received pronunciation). All of us have done RP before, but it is a skill that you need to drill constantly in order to perform at the top your game. Aled has been great and we are making good progress.

Mayor David Bieter today announced the recipients of the City’s Arts & History Economic Development Grant program. The four winning organizations are Ballet Idaho, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Boise Contemporary Theater and Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Read more